Southampton and Portsmouth launch joint bid for £1.5bn City Deal cash for investment

A BID for a £1.5bn package that would bring thousands of jobs into the Solent region has been officially lodged today.

Southampton and Portsmouth have joined forces to compete for the government's new City Deals skills which will mean the two cities can decide for themselves how investment is spent.

The two ports are the only cities in the country to launch a joint bid.

City bosses hope by joining forces they can create a globally competitive maritime economy by building on expertise in the commercial port of Southampton, Portsmouth dockyards, plus dozens of boat builders and supply companies.

Southampton City Council leader Cllr Richard Williams said: "Both cities are committed to working together for the common benefit, especially improving employment and skills development.

“In the current climate, with the recent announcement regarding Ford in Southampton, it's right that we work closely with the government to realise the economic potential of the area.”

If the cities win the City Deal status, Southampton would benefit from expanding its port, creating 4,000 new jobs and kick starting the redevelopment of Royal Pier which could generate 6,000 new jobs.

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It would also enable the city centre development to fast track the council's and partners' master plan vision for regeneration and economic development and lure investment in the Itchen riverside to create new homes, retail and business opportunities The Solent area as a whole would benefit from greater negotiating powers with major public sector landowners, helping to unlock key development sites.

Skills could be boost in the area, linking training directly to what local businesses need while greater influence would be created with national bodies that run key assets, like the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency.

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And it would enable the ability to use reserves held by councils, backed by financial guarantees from central government and pooling various sources of funding for growth into a single pot Portsmouth would benefit from the transformation of the naval base to meet increased demand for servicing ships - unlocking investment, safeguarding current jobs and creating new jobs massive investment in the development of Tipner, with about 1,600 jobs.

It would also help in creating the new Northern Quarter shopping, housing and leisure development in the city centre, with 2,000 new jobs.

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Comments (13)

Southampton and Portsmouth launch joint bid for £1.5bn City Deal cash for investment

loosehead says...5:18pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Well done to both Councils instead of trying to take work from each others city ( Vospers, Banana trade) we're working together for the good of this region well done to the Labour Council in Southampton & if I'm not wrong well done the Liberal council in Portsmouth

Well done to both Councils instead of trying to take work from each others city ( Vospers, Banana trade) we're working together for the good of this region well done to the Labour Council in Southampton & if I'm not wrong well done the Liberal council in Portsmouthloosehead

Well done to both Councils instead of trying to take work from each others city ( Vospers, Banana trade) we're working together for the good of this region well done to the Labour Council in Southampton & if I'm not wrong well done the Liberal council in Portsmouth

Score: 0

S Pance says...5:45pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Yes, good to see both cities co-operating for the good of the region. Hopefully, joint ventures will continue; united, the Solent region can compete with anywhere else in the country. What next? How about a joint bid for the 2024 Olympics?

Yes, good to see both cities co-operating for the good of the region.
Hopefully, joint ventures will continue; united, the Solent region can compete with anywhere else in the country.
What next? How about a joint bid for the 2024 Olympics?S Pance

Yes, good to see both cities co-operating for the good of the region. Hopefully, joint ventures will continue; united, the Solent region can compete with anywhere else in the country. What next? How about a joint bid for the 2024 Olympics?

Score: 0

fritzer says...6:05pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Great news,show's the two great cities can work together, it would be great to combine the two great football clubs also, and call it Solent City United, and have a grand World Class stadium build, (would hold Saints 30.000 plus supporters and Portmouth's 5,000) some where in between, Locks Heath would be an ideal venue.

Great news,show's the two great cities can work together, it would be great to combine the two great football clubs also, and call it Solent City United, and have a grand World Class stadium build, (would hold Saints 30.000 plus supporters and Portmouth's 5,000) some where in between, Locks Heath would be an ideal venue.fritzer

Great news,show's the two great cities can work together, it would be great to combine the two great football clubs also, and call it Solent City United, and have a grand World Class stadium build, (would hold Saints 30.000 plus supporters and Portmouth's 5,000) some where in between, Locks Heath would be an ideal venue.

Score: 0

cantthinkofone says...8:15pm Tue 15 Jan 13

NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand! !! !

NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand!
!!
!cantthinkofone

NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand! !! !

Score: 0

Ginger_cyclist says...9:37pm Tue 15 Jan 13

cantthinkofone wrote…

NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand! !! !

So, when football isn't involved, Portsmouth and Southampton can work together.

[quote][p][bold]cantthinkofone[/bold] wrote:
NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand!
!!
![/p][/quote]So, when football isn't involved, Portsmouth and Southampton can work together.Ginger_cyclist

cantthinkofone wrote…

NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand! !! !

So, when football isn't involved, Portsmouth and Southampton can work together.

Score: 0

fritzer says...10:40pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Sorry about that "cantthink" just thought that it would be a good idea for the future of out two great cities, I wonder how many people in Southampton think the same way as you do? and we most certainly don't to war with our Hampshire friends.!!! Both cities have lots of good honest hard working people and many of them don't know a thing about football or any sport come to that and most probably would not want to waste good tax payers money on any sports venues.

Sorry about that "cantthink" just thought that it would be a good idea for the future of out two great cities, I wonder how many people in Southampton think the same way as you do? and we most certainly don't to war with our Hampshire friends.!!!
Both cities have lots of good honest hard working people and many of them don't know a thing about football or any sport come to that and most probably would not want to waste good tax payers money on any sports venues.fritzer

Sorry about that "cantthink" just thought that it would be a good idea for the future of out two great cities, I wonder how many people in Southampton think the same way as you do? and we most certainly don't to war with our Hampshire friends.!!! Both cities have lots of good honest hard working people and many of them don't know a thing about football or any sport come to that and most probably would not want to waste good tax payers money on any sports venues.

Score: 0

loosehead says...7:23am Wed 16 Jan 13

fritzer wrote…

Sorry about that "cantthink" just thought that it would be a good idea for the future of out two great cities, I wonder how many people in Southampton think the same way as you do? and we most certainly don't to war with our Hampshire friends.!!! Both cities have lots of good honest hard working people and many of them don't know a thing about football or any sport come to that and most probably would not want to waste good tax payers money on any sports venues.

Was in the TA & got on well with the Pompey Lads, Played Rugby Against several Pompey teams got on well in the bar afterwards. use to go to Nero's/Fifth Avenue in Southsea every other week got on okay. it seems to be take football out of the equation (fans) & we seem to get on okay

[quote][p][bold]fritzer[/bold] wrote:
Sorry about that "cantthink" just thought that it would be a good idea for the future of out two great cities, I wonder how many people in Southampton think the same way as you do? and we most certainly don't to war with our Hampshire friends.!!!
Both cities have lots of good honest hard working people and many of them don't know a thing about football or any sport come to that and most probably would not want to waste good tax payers money on any sports venues.[/p][/quote]Was in the TA & got on well with the Pompey Lads,
Played Rugby Against several Pompey teams got on well in the bar afterwards.
use to go to Nero's/Fifth Avenue in Southsea every other week got on okay.
it seems to be take football out of the equation (fans) & we seem to get on okayloosehead

fritzer wrote…

Sorry about that "cantthink" just thought that it would be a good idea for the future of out two great cities, I wonder how many people in Southampton think the same way as you do? and we most certainly don't to war with our Hampshire friends.!!! Both cities have lots of good honest hard working people and many of them don't know a thing about football or any sport come to that and most probably would not want to waste good tax payers money on any sports venues.

Was in the TA & got on well with the Pompey Lads, Played Rugby Against several Pompey teams got on well in the bar afterwards. use to go to Nero's/Fifth Avenue in Southsea every other week got on okay. it seems to be take football out of the equation (fans) & we seem to get on okay

Score: 0

FoysCornerBoy says...8:05am Wed 16 Jan 13

Wouldn't it be great if we could create a top class (i.e. Heineken cup standard) rugby team in the Solent region by bringing together a number of existing clubs? This would be a perfect complement to a successful Rugby world cup venue bid for St Mary's in 2015. Another area where the two Cities could usefully collaborate (and save the taxpayers millions) would be to establish an integrated community health service by bringing together local NHS functions with council social services.

Wouldn't it be great if we could create a top class (i.e. Heineken cup standard) rugby team in the Solent region by bringing together a number of existing clubs? This would be a perfect complement to a successful Rugby world cup venue bid for St Mary's in 2015.
Another area where the two Cities could usefully collaborate (and save the taxpayers millions) would be to establish an integrated community health service by bringing together local NHS functions with council social services.FoysCornerBoy

Wouldn't it be great if we could create a top class (i.e. Heineken cup standard) rugby team in the Solent region by bringing together a number of existing clubs? This would be a perfect complement to a successful Rugby world cup venue bid for St Mary's in 2015. Another area where the two Cities could usefully collaborate (and save the taxpayers millions) would be to establish an integrated community health service by bringing together local NHS functions with council social services.

Score: 0

aldermoorboy says...8:28am Wed 16 Jan 13

Good news, more co-operation the better. Regarding football it should be friendly competition only, like Liverpool and Everton. If we merged support we could compete better, but it probably won't happen.

Good news, more co-operation the better.
Regarding football it should be friendly competition only, like Liverpool and Everton.
If we merged support we could compete better, but it probably won't happen.aldermoorboy

Good news, more co-operation the better. Regarding football it should be friendly competition only, like Liverpool and Everton. If we merged support we could compete better, but it probably won't happen.

Score: 0

kingnotail says...10:53am Wed 16 Jan 13

cantthinkofone wrote…

NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand! !! !

Southampton is probably the most culturally destitute city in the whole country by a huge margin, never mind the south coast!

[quote][p][bold]cantthinkofone[/bold] wrote:
NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand!
!!
![/p][/quote]Southampton is probably the most culturally destitute city in the whole country by a huge margin, never mind the south coast!kingnotail

cantthinkofone wrote…

NO! We shouldn't be cooperating! We should go to war against the marginally more depressingly impoverished and culturally destitute city down the coast! This will not stand! !! !

Southampton is probably the most culturally destitute city in the whole country by a huge margin, never mind the south coast!

Score: 0

loosehead says...12:32pm Wed 16 Jan 13

FoysCornerBoy wrote…

Wouldn't it be great if we could create a top class (i.e. Heineken cup standard) rugby team in the Solent region by bringing together a number of existing clubs? This would be a perfect complement to a successful Rugby world cup venue bid for St Mary's in 2015. Another area where the two Cities could usefully collaborate (and save the taxpayers millions) would be to establish an integrated community health service by bringing together local NHS functions with council social services.

We tried & we called it Waterside but this ended up with one club siphoning off all the best players. I would have loved for Saints to have approached Wasps when they were looking for a new ground & I wonder if they still could get them? Maybe London Welsh would like to play at St Mary's? Southampton FC use to be involved with Athletics I don't know if it still is but maybe if they could link up with Southampton Rugby Club & assist in recruiting youth players & maybe top rate senior players then eventually you could have two premiership teams playing at St Mary's one Football & one Rugby the options there? I've said in this Echo before that what happened in our docks would effect all of Hampshire Portsmouth included so if this is the beginning of the two cities working together to bring jobs to both Cities I can only congratulate the Labour Council for getting the ball rolling

[quote][p][bold]FoysCornerBoy[/bold] wrote:
Wouldn't it be great if we could create a top class (i.e. Heineken cup standard) rugby team in the Solent region by bringing together a number of existing clubs? This would be a perfect complement to a successful Rugby world cup venue bid for St Mary's in 2015.
Another area where the two Cities could usefully collaborate (and save the taxpayers millions) would be to establish an integrated community health service by bringing together local NHS functions with council social services.[/p][/quote]We tried & we called it Waterside but this ended up with one club siphoning off all the best players.
I would have loved for Saints to have approached Wasps when they were looking for a new ground & I wonder if they still could get them?
Maybe London Welsh would like to play at St Mary's?
Southampton FC use to be involved with Athletics I don't know if it still is but maybe if they could link up with Southampton Rugby Club & assist in recruiting youth players & maybe top rate senior players then eventually you could have two premiership teams playing at St Mary's one Football & one Rugby the options there?
I've said in this Echo before that what happened in our docks would effect all of Hampshire Portsmouth included so if this is the beginning of the two cities working together to bring jobs to both Cities I can only congratulate the Labour Council for getting the ball rollingloosehead

FoysCornerBoy wrote…

Wouldn't it be great if we could create a top class (i.e. Heineken cup standard) rugby team in the Solent region by bringing together a number of existing clubs? This would be a perfect complement to a successful Rugby world cup venue bid for St Mary's in 2015. Another area where the two Cities could usefully collaborate (and save the taxpayers millions) would be to establish an integrated community health service by bringing together local NHS functions with council social services.

We tried & we called it Waterside but this ended up with one club siphoning off all the best players. I would have loved for Saints to have approached Wasps when they were looking for a new ground & I wonder if they still could get them? Maybe London Welsh would like to play at St Mary's? Southampton FC use to be involved with Athletics I don't know if it still is but maybe if they could link up with Southampton Rugby Club & assist in recruiting youth players & maybe top rate senior players then eventually you could have two premiership teams playing at St Mary's one Football & one Rugby the options there? I've said in this Echo before that what happened in our docks would effect all of Hampshire Portsmouth included so if this is the beginning of the two cities working together to bring jobs to both Cities I can only congratulate the Labour Council for getting the ball rolling

Score: 0

kingnotail says...11:36am Thu 17 Jan 13

Rip it up and start again?

Rip it up and start again?kingnotail

Rip it up and start again?

Score: 0

loosehead says...12:25pm Thu 17 Jan 13

kingnotail wrote…

Rip it up and start again?

What ? Portsmouth & Southampton City's? I know you go home & let some one who's grateful for a job to come here instead or are you a student with a year to go?

[quote][p][bold]kingnotail[/bold] wrote:
Rip it up and start again?[/p][/quote]What ? Portsmouth & Southampton City's?
I know you go home & let some one who's grateful for a job to come here instead or are you a student with a year to go?loosehead

kingnotail wrote…

Rip it up and start again?

What ? Portsmouth & Southampton City's? I know you go home & let some one who's grateful for a job to come here instead or are you a student with a year to go?

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